come out and play (billie eilish christmas story)

20

I was worried about how good of an idea this had been less than a minute into meeting up with Alex, when she gave me a lonngggg hug paired with a not-so-friendly look up and down. And as soon as I turned to introduce Billie, she was already glaring daggers at Alex.

"U-um, Alex, this is Billie," I was going to introduce her as my girlfriend, but then I realized Billie might not like that, since we weren't actually together. So then I thought maybe best friend. But then Alex would know I had lied and I didn't really want to explain our situation to anyone else. So I just left it out.

Alex was wary of the hostility radiating off of Billie. "Heyyy..." She trailed off, offering her hand out to dab her up but Billie just looked at it, so she withdrew it after a few awkward seconds.

Alex cleared her throat, eyeing Billie warily before turning to me. "Um, anyway, I was wondering if you guys would be chill with maybe going to a mall today? I got a shit load of Christmas shopping to get done before Monday, so..." She kept glancing at Billie nervously.

"I'm cool with that. Billie?" I prompted her, encouraging her to speak. But she merely nodded, and I let a tiny sigh escape me.

We decided to walk to a mall that was nearby. On the way, during a lull in my conversation with Alex, I dropped back to talk to Billie, who was still glaring grumpily at Alex.

"What's your deal, Billie?" I asked, concerned. "Do you wanna go home?"

Billie finally looked at me, her expression softening just a touch. "She," She jerked her head at Alex walking ahead of us. "-doesn't just wanna be your friend. I don't like the way she looks at you," She confessed.

I sighed. "It's fine Billie, I told her I'm unavailable already. She can't help still finding me attractive," I muttered, lowering my voice when Alex glanced over her shoulder at us.

Billie huffed. "I don't think the message was clear enough," She grumbled, her arm slipping around my waist.

I didn't respond, mainly because her protective gesture brought a light dust of red to my cheeks, even though I could only feel the weight of her arm through my coat.

"You two are so slowwwww," Alex had stopped, and we had walked right into her, causing Billie's arm to slip off of me.

"Sorry," I chuckled a little and walked faster, grabbing Billie's mitten-covered hand meanwhile so that she would keep pace with us. She was glaring at Alex again.

"Just try to be nice, please?" I requested in a whisper. Billie sighed, then relaxed her shoulders and nodded.

"But if she makes a move on you I won't hesitate to throw hands," She added, smirking at me.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "Don't you think we should at least make it official before you get all jealous?" I teased, pulling away to catch up with Alex.

***

"Okay, well, this has been nice Alex, but Willow has work in half-an-hour and I'd better drive her over," Billie announced once we had walked all the way through the mall.

"What? But it's onl-" Billie nudged my shoulder roughly, and I shut up.

Luckily, Alex had had her back to us and didn't catch that. "Oh, alright, I guess. Let's walk back to our cars, then," She mumbled, turning around.

"Remind me why we didn't just drive here?" Billie grumbled to me in a whisper once we had started walking.

I giggled. "I dunno. Walking's fun," I insisted.

Billie just looked at me, unconvinced.

I laughed again. "Why'd you wanna leave so soon? It's only 2:30,"

"Because I want you to myself again," Billie admitted with no shame.

I scoffed but smiled, secretly pleased although I had nothing against hanging with Alex for longer.

"It was good to see you again, Alex. Maybe we can hang again before Christmas?" I proposed while Billie was getting into her car, having only muttered a quick 'Bye' to Alex.

But she shook her head, looking apologetic. "Sorry, I can't I'm flying out to see my family tomorrow afternoon,"

"Oh, no worries then. G'bye!" I assured her, giving her a quick side hug before I went to Billie's car.

"You take forever to say goodbye," Billie complained playfully, starting the car.

I rolled my eyes. "You don't seem to mind when I'm saying goodbye to you," I retorted, done with her attitude even if it was light-hearted.

"True," She admitted, her smile fading when she glanced at me. She seemed to realize the problem right away, though.

"Sorry for being bitchy today," She apologized, sounding almost shy. "That wasn't cool of me,"

"You're right, it wasn't," I muttered, refusing to meet her eyes.

"I'm really sorry. It won't happen again," She promised, looking at me hopefully.

I sighed, a smile creeping onto my face again. "I forgive you. But maybe you shouldn't hang with Alex and I again,"

Billie huffed, pouting. "But how can I make sure she's not hitting on my girl?"

"Billie," I said sternly. Her pout deepened.

"Fine," She sighed dramatically.

"We aren't even together yet, so I'm technically not 'your girl'," I pointed out, regretting it immediately when her face fell.

"Maybe we should talk about that," Billie said quietly.

hey it can't be all paradise yk?